'Golden ball' at Central Bank may be added to protected structures list

planning

Joyce Fegan
– 27 April 2015 03:00 AM

The 'golden ball' statue outside the Central Bank

The Central Bank plaza on Dame Street, which includes the iconic 'golden ball', could become a protected structure.

The news follows rumours earlier this year that the Crann an Oir (tree of gold) on the bank's plaza would be moved from Dame Street when the Central Bank relocates to North Wall Quay.

However, the Herald has learned that the main building and plaza have gone on a Dublin City Council (DCC) list to assess whether they should become protected structures or not.

The move comes after Independent councillor Mannix Flynn put in a motion to DCC to protect the buildings and surrounding artwork.

"It is my belief that the entire building and the plaza has become dear to the heart of Dubliners. I would like to see the 'golden ball' left here," said Cllr Flynn. "I'm calling on the Central Bank to gift it to the city council with the provision that it stays on Dame Street."

The 'golden ball' is the work of Eamonn O'Doherty who died in Dublin in 2011.

addition

"The request for the addition of the Central Bank buildings and plaza to the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) has been added to the list of circa 150 structures yet to be assessed," an official from DCC stated in response to Cllr Flynn.

Furthermore, the DCC executive also stated that the Central Bank buildings are part of another conservation assessment by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.

"Phase 8 of this survey including the northern side of Dame Street, including the Central Bank and surroundings, is expected to be completed by the end of the summer," said the DCC official.

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the Central Bank said that the bank had not been made aware of the latest DCC conservation developments.

"The Bank has had no specific communications from DCC to advise that Central Bank buildings and the plaza have been added to a list," said a spokeswoman.

"The decisions in relation to Crann an Oir are part of the Central Bank's wider considerations in relation to the move to our new building on North Wall Quay.

"A range of options are currently being considered however no final decision has been made on the matter," she said.